June 15, 2011 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 157, Pt. 7 9393 RECOGNIZING THE 68TH ANNIVER- RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE SALUTING SERVICE ACADEMY SARY COMMEMORATION OF THE MILITARY SERVICE OF CAPTAIN STUDENTS—ELIZABETH CAR- BAKERS CREEK AIR CRASH IN THOMAS H. FARRIS PENTER AUSTRALIA DURING WORLD WAR II HON. DARRELL E. ISSA HON. SAM JOHNSON OF TEXAS OF CALIFORNIA HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 15, 2011 OF PENNSYLVANIA Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor I rise today to honor an extraordinary group of young men and women who have been cho- Wednesday, June 15, 2011 the distinguished career of Captain Thomas H. Farris on the occasion of his retirement from sen as future leaders in our armed forces by Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recog- the United States Coast Guard (USCG). I offer the prestigious United States service acad- nize the Bakers Creek Memorial ceremony Captain Farris my sincerest thanks for his 30 emies. It is a privilege to send such a fine being held today at the Selfridge Gate to Ar- years of dedicated service in protecting our group from the third district of Texas to pursue lington National Cemetery at Fort Myer, Vir- nation and safeguarding its future. a world-class education and serve our nation. As we keep them and their families in our ginia. An accomplished aviator, Captain Farris prayers, may we never forget the sacrifices Sixty-eight years ago today, a Boeing B-17C possesses over 6700 hours of flight time in six they are preparing to make while defending bomber flying with forty-one soldiers and air- different aircraft throughout his 30 years of our freedoms all across the globe. I am so men from Bakers Creek, Australia to New service as a veteran of the U.S. Army and proud of each one. God bless them and God Guinea crashed upon takeoff, killing forty indi- USCG. He most recently served as the Coast bless America. Guard’s Chief of Aviation Safety. In that ca- viduals. Due to the Army’s subsequent classi- Today I salute Elizabeth Carpenter, a United pacity he was responsible for the USCG Avia- fication of the event, the victims’ families were States Air Force Academy Appointee. Eliza- tion Safety program and one of only three not informed about the details of their loved beth is a graduate of Plano East Senior High senior aviators exercising program level over- School where she excelled at many things. ones’ peril until recently. Thanks to the persist- sight over the design, development, implemen- ence of the Bakers Creek Memorial Associa- She was a strong student who participated in tation, delivery and sustainment of all USCG National Honor Society and the International tion and the victims’ families, the events of aviation programs. Bakers Creek are not only known today, but Baccalaureate Program. Elizabeth is also an Captain Farris has distinguished himself by accomplished athlete. She played varsity are honored by a monument in Arlington. extraordinary acts of leadership. Among his volleyball and was the team captain at Plano I am proud to have joined the effort to bring many achievements, Captain Farris won the East. She comes from a family of service as the Bakers Creek monument from the Aus- U.S. Army’s European Helicopter Champion- her grandfather graduated from the United tralian Embassy to a permanent home on ship early in his career along with 18 ship- States Military Academy and retired as a colo- American soil. Pennsylvanians have a strong board deployments and extensive airborne nel from the Air Force and her sister is cur- connection to this monument, as six of the Law Enforcement experience in the North At- rently at the U.S. Naval Academy. Elizabeth forty victims of the tragic plane crash called lantic, Caribbean and Eastern Pacific theatres. has aspirations to become a pilot. Elizabeth Pennsylvania home. Many of my Congres- Captain Farris’ service in his current position chose to apply to the Air Force Academy be- sional colleagues from Pennsylvania, and both as the USCG Captain of the Port of San cause she is certain it is only there she can Senators, actively supported the effort to move Diego is the capstone to his military career. As study her interest in aviation and give her a this monument to its rightful home in Arlington. the Coast Guard Captain for San Diego, he is foundation that she can apply in any endeav- The Pennsylvania State Legislature also responsible for the safe conduct of commercial or. passed a resolution designating June 14th as maritime activity on all federally navigable wa- f terways within an area that extends from 200 Bakers Creek Memorial Day. nautical miles offshore San Diego then east to HONORING JIM LEHRER The distinguished speaker at today’s cere- the Colorado River from the Mexico border to mony at Selfridge Gate, the Honorable L. Utah. HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON Jerry Hansen, Principal Deputy Assistant Sec- Along with his many roles and responsibil- OF TEXAS retary of the Army for Installations and Envi- ities, Captain Farris serves as the designated IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ronment, graciously accepted the monument Federal Maritime Security Coordinator and Wednesday, June 15, 2011 two years ago on behalf of the Secretary of Chair of the Area Maritime Security Committee Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. the Army. The Department of the Army overseeing commercial vessel and facilities Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a pledged to protect and honor the monument at compliance with the Maritime Transportation distinguished journalist. On May 12, 2011, Jim Fort Myer, as a permanent tribute to the brave Security Act. He also serves as the Oper- Lehrer announced that he is leaving the soldiers and airmen who perished at Bakers ational Commander for the USCG air and sur- ‘‘NewsHour’’ as a regular anchor effective the Creek, as well as their families. face force carrying out Search and Rescue week of June 6, the final step in a carefully I am pleased to thank Army Secretary John and Maritime law enforcement authority. Addi- planned retirement. He said he will still appear tionally, Captain Farris plays a pivotal role as McHugh and Fort Myer Garrison Commander, many Fridays to moderate an analysis of the the Senior Officer Ashore in San Diego as the Col. Carl R. Coffman, for arranging this appro- week’s news. primary local USCG representative to the San priate and dignified memorial ceremony—with Born in Wichita, Kansas in 1934, Jim Lehrer Diego County military, federal and civilian received an A.A. degree from Victoria College high standards of military honor. I am con- community. fident that this ceremony will be repeated each and a B.J. in 1956 from the University of Mis- As he enters this new stage of his life, I year on the anniversary date of the tragic souri before joining the Marine Corps. From hope that Captain Farris will benefit from his crash. 1959 to 1966, he was a reporter for The Dal- years of work, just as the United States Mili- las Morning News and then the Dallas Times- I extend my deepest sympathies to the fam- tary has benefited. I offer him my warmest Herald. He was also a political columnist at ily members of the heroic American warriors congratulations and may he enjoy a rewarding the Times-Herald for several years and in who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of retirement. 1968 became the city editor. our nation during World War II. But for their Mr. Speaker, I ask you to please join me in Lehrer’s newspaper career led him to public selfless and courageous service, the freedoms honoring all the brave men and women who television, first in Dallas, as KERA–TV’s exec- we enjoy today would not be. I and all Ameri- have served in the United States Armed utive director of public affairs, on-air host and cans are forever indebted to these true he- Forces, and the admirable service of Captain editor of a nightly news program. He subse- roes. Thomas Farris. quently moved to Washington, DC to serve as VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:48 Jun 17, 2014 Jkt 099102 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR11\E15JN1.000 E15JN1 pmangrum on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD 9394 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 157, Pt. 7 June 15, 2011 the public affairs coordinator for PBS, and was family members donated the rest of the need- they are preparing to make while defending also a member of PBS’s Journalism Advisory ed $18,000. our freedoms all across the globe. I am so Board and a fellow at the Corporation for Pub- Dr. Tatum was preceded in death by her proud of each one. God bless them and God lic Broadcasting. Lehrer went on to join the husband of 57 years, Earl Tatum. She never bless America. National Public Affairs Center for Television. gave birth but raised her late sister’s children Today I salute Kevin Carringer, a United (NPACT) as a correspondent. as her own. Survivors include the children she States Military Academy Appointee. Kevin is a Lehrer has been honored with numerous raised, David Hollins Sr., Jynette Hamilton, graduate of Plano West Senior High School awards for journalism, including the Chair- Pastor Sudie B. Jones, Shirley Owens, Ruthie where he ran cross country, and track. Kevin man’s Award at the 2010 National Academy of L.